5 Things You Need To Know Today

The Early Word: Jeffries' Camp Reacts to 'No Impact Man' Bid

Colin Beavan newest aspirant for 8th Congressional seat.

1. A campaign spokesperson for Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Fort Greene, had this to say about 'No Impact Man' star Colin Beavan's candidacy on the Green Party line, announced last week: “We’re focused on the primary right now. We will not comment on possible general election challengers until the appropriate time.” As of early Monday, Jeffries' primary challenger, Councilman Charles Barron, did not return a call for comment on Beavan's 8th Congressional District bid. 2. Rosecrans Baldwin, editor of The Morning News and author of the novel You Lost Me There, discusses his new memoir about expatriate life, Paris, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down. Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St. 7:30 p.m. Free. 3. Come by and feel like part of …

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Clinton Hill Resident Announces Run for Towns' Seat

'No Impact Man' Colin Beavan to run on Green Party line.

Environmentalist and author Colin Beavan this week announced his candidacy for Congress, joining Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Fort Greene, and Councilman Charles Barron, D-East New York, in the race to replace Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns in Congress. Amongst his campaign issues are: "We have to face up to climate change, the end of oil, and the failure of consumption to make people happy," said Beavan in a press release announcing his candidacy. "Robust local economies help solve all these problems." Beavan, 48, was born and raised in Manhattan and has been a resident of Clinton Hill for a little more than a year, according to Ryan Harbage, Beavan’s campaign manager. On employment, affordable housing and crime, "[Beavan] believes the more …

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Jeffries Makes Top 10 List of Powerful City Leaders

Three-term Assembly Democrat's political fortunes on the upswing, according to The New York Times.

Already the frontrunner to succeed Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns in the newly created 8th Congressional District, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Fort Greene, can add another moniker to his growing political resume: Powerhouse. The New York Times on Sunday named the three-term Democrat as one of its 10 influential political stars, joining a list that includes New York Police Department commissioner and possible mayoral contender Ray Kelly, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Hailing from Central Brooklyn, Jeffries is a rising star in the Democratic Party—helping to craft legislation in Albany banning police from collecting data gained from stop-and-frisk techniques. Jeffries has also been an advocate for affordable housing, speaking …

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Andrea Developer Makes Shortlist of GOP Mayoral Hopefuls

John Catsimatidis named top party pick.

John Catsimatidis, developer of The Andrea condo building and owner of Red Apple Supermarket, emerged as the Republican Party's first choice to replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg, according to the New York Times. Problem is, Catsimatidis may not be in the running for the job. "I've been supporting [NYPD commissioner] Ray Kelly. I'm in the bullpen if Ray Kelly doesn't do it," the Times reported the billionaire supermarket owner as saying. But Kelly has said he does not intend to run and would prefer to throw his support behind Catsimatidis, according to a report in The Huffington Post. The speculation comes as a panel of five GOP county chairman named the Gristedes supermarket chief as their top pick this week for their party's support in the …

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It's Official: Towns Won't Seek Re-Election

U.S. Congressman out of three-way race after 15 terms.

U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns, D-Brooklyn, will not seek a 16th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, his campaign announced today. “After months of long family discussions, I have decided not to seek re-election for my seat in the United State House of Representatives. I am very grateful for the support we have received over the years. I believe firmly that we would have won a 16thterm had we decided to run," he said in an e-mail news release Monday. In the statement, he said he was particularly proud of the funds he brought to the district, his battle against Wall Street corruption as chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee and his role in the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Following the …

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Hakeem Jeffries Opens Congressional Campaign Headquarters

Says opponent Ed Towns "needs to be taken seriously," despite his lack of campaigning.

In a Fulton Avenue storefront packed with supporters and staffers, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries opened up his congressional campaign office Saturday. Jeffries is running against 30-year incumbent Rep. Edolphus Towns and longtime Councilman Charles Barron in the June 26th primary for the 8th Congressional District. During his brief remarks, Jeffries listed a wide swath of issues that he would fight for—affordable housing, public education, social security, women’s rights, immigration rights, civil rights, workers’ rights, Medicare and President Barack Obama. Making reference to the redrawn Congressional lines for the 8th District, which now reaches to Coney Island, Jeffries praised increased ethnic diversity of the new territory. “The great …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today

The Early Word: Jeffries' Fundraising Ramps Up

Assemblyman nets $237,000 in latest quarter in his bid for Congress, according to campaign.

1. If there was any doubt that Edolphus "Ed" Towns, D-Brooklyn, was in the reelection fight of his life, a campaign announcement by one of his rivals for the new 8th Congressional District might have gone a long way in terms of proving it. In a statement released Thursday, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Fort Greene, claimed to have received $237,000 as of March 31—double the amount raised in the fourth quarter of 2011. As of Dec. 31, Jeffries had $235,962 in cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission. Towns, meanwhile, lagged behind at $162,407 in cash reserves in the same period—with Councilman Charles Barron, D-East New York, a distant third. 2. Early childhood educator Aja-Nicole will facilitate a fun and enriching play …

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Vanguard Democratic Club Backs Hakeem Jeffries For Congress

VIDA decides against endorsing veteran Congressman Ed Towns.

Last week, the Vanguard Independent Democratic Club (VIDA) voted to endorse Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries for U.S. Congress, over Councilmember Charles Barron, D-East New York, and 30-year incumbent Edolphus "Ed" Towns. VIDA’s endorsement of Jeffries has ruffled a few feathers and even caused some about-the-town rumbling, as for decades, the club routinely has endorsed Towns, not to mention that Towns has helped groom and served as a mentor for the club’s newly appointed president, Robert Cornegy Jr. "Obviously after 30 years of having a relationship with the congressman, it was a difficult thing to do," Cornegy told Patch. "I didn’t vote, and as president, I don’t have to vote except in the case of a tie." "It’s nothing personal, but I had …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today

The Early Word: Ed Towns Still Off Campaign Trail

Even as June primary draws near, veteran Congressman takes a quiet approach to reelection.

1. On Thursday, Politicker ran this comprehensive rundown on the reelection campaign of Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns—or rather, the lack thereof, as the June 26 primary for the newly created 8th Congressional District inched ever closer. Among the highlights: Towns' no show status at a recent meeting of Bed-Stuy's influential Vanguard Democratic Association and a last minute pullout from a planned "sit-down" with local press last month. Despite this quiet start, staffers for the veteran Congressman said he planned to "aggressively" campaign later this month. 2. Violinist Cornelius Dufallo joins producer Patrick Derivaz to perform Bass Violin, a meditative improvisation that pushes variation form and tone color to their musical limits, at …

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